Regional Names of Durga Puja: Ayudha Puja

Idol of Sri Ram & devi Sita

Region: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh

The ninth day is also the day of the Ayudha Puja. After the slaying
of Mahishasura and other demons by Chamundeswari, there was
no more use for her weapons. So the weapons were kept aside and worshipped.
This Ayudha puja is being celebrated since ancient times. The
importance of Ayudha Puja on this occasion may also be due to the fact that
on the Vijayadasami day, Arjuna took back his weapons which he had
hidden in a Vani tree in order to lead a life in disguise for the
promised period of exile. It is believed that one who begins or renovates
his learning to work on the Vijayadasami day will secure a grand success as
Arjuna did in Kurukshetra war.

The Ayudha Puja is a worship of whatever implements one may use in
one's livelihood. On the preceding evening, it is traditional to place these
implements on an altar to the Divine. If one can make a conscious effort to
see the divine in the tools and objects one uses each day, it will help one
to see one's work as an offering to God. It will also help one to maintain
constant remembrance of the divine. In India it is customary for one to
prostrate before the tools one will use before starting one's work each day;
this is an expression of gratitude to God for helping one to fulfil one's
duties.